Springfield City Clerk Brenda Cirtin's office has received a referendum petition, which could force a repeal or public vote on City Council's Feb. 25 decision to approve the rezoning of center city land for a future Walmart Neighborhood Market.
The petition of 2,370 signatures awaits certification by the city clerk's office. If at least 1,787 signatures are certified as belonging to registered city voters, council must opt to repeal the rezoning plan or send the decision to voters, according to a city news release.
Should council decide to send the decision to voters, the zoning change would be posponed until the next municipal election in August. The release said the city would be responsible for covering the cost of the election, which on average runs from $80,000 to $100,000.
Assistant City Clerk Anita Cotter said the office began certifying signatures when the petition was received yesterday, and it should be a few days before the process is complete.
According to the petitioners' news release, the collection of signatures was accomplished by a coalition comprising members of Stand up to Wal-Mart, Citizens Advocating for Responsible Development, Stop the Neighborhood Market Project, Save Calvary, area residents and university students.
Council narrowly approved Wal-Mart Stores Inc.’s rezoning request near the intersection of Campbell Avenue and Grand Street with a 5-4 vote at its late February meeting.
The vote gave the go-ahead for Bentonville, Ark.-based Wal-Mart's plans to move forward on a fifth Neighborhood Market in town. The megaretailer sought rezoning of 6 acres at 444 W. Grand St. and 427–515 W. Normal St. to a general retail district with a conditional overlay district from residential high density and residential single family, according to
Springfield Business Journal archives.[[In-content Ad]]
